Susan M. Frei

September 20, 1951 - January 20, 2021

Susan Mary Frei, 69, of Toms River, passed away on January 20, 2021, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous 6 year battle with Breast Cancer. Susan was born September 20, 1951 in Belleville, NJ. After graduating from Belleville High School in 1969, she went on to William Paterson College where she earned her teaching degree in 1973. This is where her love of education began. She taught at St. Joseph Catholic School in Orange, followed by St. Philomena Academy in Livingston. She taught elementary school and preschool, where she displayed her artistic and musical talents, playing the piano, singing and making learning come to life for her students. She even created and directed a school play with 4 year olds which was a huge success. Susan moved to Toms River in 1988 where she found her true passion in teaching: science. She spent the rest of her career teaching science in Howell Middle School. This is where she gave her students the knowledge of biology, environmental science, weather, and space, to name a few. This is also where she made some lifelong friendships with amazing people. She brought that love of science into her everyday life teaching her nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews daily. This encouraged their love of learning as well. Susan was a proud catholic who sang in the church choir at St. Dominic Church in Brick for many years. She loved music and instilled that love in her great nieces. She loved to see them perform in their dance recitals, school plays, and community theatre. Susan’s greatest joy in life was being a mom to her son, Danny. He was her pride, her joy, her pumpkin. While teaching full time, she volunteered in his school, took him to all his practices and activities, and never missed a sporting event. She was his biggest supporter and advocate. She was so proud of him and cherished their mother/son bond. She took pride in his skills and talents, especially when he graduated college and became an electrician. She was overjoyed when he married the love of his life, Leila in 2016 and moved only a few short blocks away. She was comforted by having them closeby, looking forward to him checking in on her every morning giving her a kiss on the forehead. That was the highlight of her day!! Susan’s life was blessed when she became a grandmother to her beautiful grandbaby, Filomena Marie. She loved to sing, color, and read to her “Fina.” Although they only had 2 short years together, that baby girl made a great impact on her life. She loved to see her grow and change each day. She was amazed by this smart, beautiful baby girl and bragged about her little love to everyone. Filomena was her “Honey Bunny” who lit up her world and made her smile brighter. After retiring in 2014, she spent her last 6 years spending time doing the things she loved: hosting Sunday dinners, nurturing her green thumb in her beautiful garden, watching the Jets and Yankees games, and especially cooking and baking with her great niece Brynn, with whom she had a special bond. Susan was a selfless, loving, kind-hearted person who was adored and admired by her entire family. Her legacy will live on in the next generation. Susan was predeceased by her father, Robert F. Justice, her mother, Mary T Justice, her nephews, Michael and Matthew Justice. She is survived by her son Daniel Frei, his wife, Leila and granddaughter, Filomena. She is also survived by her sisters Patricia Valerius (late Anthony), Nancy Stefanelli (George), Mary Anne Ballweg (Frank) and her brother Robert F. Justice III. She is also survived by her nieces, Bridget McKee (Matt), Kristen Picinic (Randy), Kaitlin Valerius, her nephews Brian Justice (Chris), Eric Stefanelli (Dana) and Kevin Valerius. She is also survived by her great nieces and nephew, Brynn, Aubrey, Mila, Caelyn, Ava, Ivan, and Skylar. Visitation will be Monday, January 25, 2021 at the Silverton Memorial Funeral Home, 2482 Church Rd., Toms River from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Mass at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Toms River, will be at 11:30 am followed by Christian burial at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery, Toms River. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Susan’s name to St Jude Children Hospital or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Association.